TwoDay Method: a quick-start approach

Background

Requiring that women wait until the onset of menses to initiate a family planning method is a medical barrier that can result in unintended pregnancies. In the efficacy study of the TwoDay Method, a new fertility awareness-based method of family planning, women were taught the method in the first seven days of their cycles. This study tested a quick-start approach (providing the method at any time in the cycle) to TwoDay Method delivery.

Study Design

In Peru, 167 women were counseled in TwoDay Method use (regardless of cycle day) and followed for up to 7 months. They were interviewed periodically to assess their use of and satisfaction with the method. Simulated clients gauged providers' ability to correctly counsel in method use at different times of the cycle.

Results

No significant differences were observed in correct use, continuation rates, and acceptability of the method among women who were counseled at different points in the cycle; quality of counseling was not undermined by the quick-start approach.

Conclusions

There is no need to limit delivery of the TwoDay Method to the first seven days of the menstrual cycle.